"I'm bound to uphold the law in the state," Chief Calvin Williams said during a briefing

Receive the latest national-international updates in your inbox

In this Dec. 28, 2015, file photo, Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams answers questions during a news conference in Cleveland. During a July 13, 2016, briefing leading up to the Republican National Convention in Cleveland from July 18 to 21, 2016, Williams said he'd prefer people not openly carry firearms during the convention, although Ohio state law allows the practice, and said police will do everything possible to keep everyone safe.

Cleveland's police chief said Wednesday that while he'd prefer that people not openly carry firearms during next week's Republican National Convention in the city, state law allows for it and police will do everything possible to keep everyone safe.

"I'm bound to uphold the law in the state," Chief Calvin Williams said during a press briefing ahead of the four-day convention, which begins Monday.

A sniper ambush that killed five police officers in Dallas last week has heightened concerns for law enforcement around the country and for those involved in providing security for the convention, which will feature New York real estate mogul and presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

Williams said the Dallas shooting was a "wake-up call" that prompted him to tweak some of his department's tactics. He would not elaborate.

Trump Booed Leaving New York Times

President Elect Donald Trump is booed as he walks through the lobby of The New York Times Building after a 75-minute meeting with Times journalists. The lobby of the Times building is open to the public, and a large crowd had gathered by the time he departed.

(Published Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016)

Cleveland has included water and pellet guns on its list of prohibited items within the convention's 1.7-square-mile event zone, covering a large portion of downtown, but it can't stop gun owners from carrying real firearms. But no guns are allowed within the security perimeter that surrounds the convention venue, Quicken Loans Arena, and is controlled by the U.S. Secret Service.

Williams and Democratic Mayor Frank Jackson said city police have dealt with other events at which people have openly carried firearms.

An estimated 50,000 people are expected to travel to Cleveland for the convention. Since it became clear that Trump had secured enough delegates to win the nomination, there have been concerns about the potential for violent clashes between his supporters and groups in opposition during the convention.